The Tralee-based newspaper has announced June as Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 Month in Kerry – with the full support of Kerry County Council well as the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, local cycling clubs, and the founder of the national Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign, Phil Skelton. Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 is a safety campaign highlighting the need for drivers to observe a safe minimum passing distance of 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists, and aims for this minimum passing distance to be written into law.

Kerry’s Eye this week launched the campaign in Kerry, as the local cycling season peaks ahead of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, the single biggest cycling event in the country. On Thursday, Kerry County Council began erecting signs promoting the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign at strategic locations around the county. A total of 48 4×4-foot signs will be erected.

The campaign includes:

• 40,000 car stickers with the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 logo and safe passing message
• Roadside signs with the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 logo and message at strategic locations in Tralee, Killarney, Killorglin, Listowel, Cahersiveen, Castleisland, Kenmare and Dingle.
• Thousands of posters with the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 logo and message to be distributed throughout the county
• 10,000 car stickers to be distributed with Ring of Kerry registration packs
• Extensive coverage throughout June in Kerry’s Eye – highlighting that the person on a bike is not just a cyclist to overtake – it’s a father, mother, son, daughter etc. who wants to get home safely.

“The Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign is a vital initiative that will hopefully save lives and make the county’s roads safer for everyone,” said Kerry’s Eye editor, Colin Lacey.

“As a cyclist and driver myself, I see how vulnerable cyclists are and how dangerous our roads can be. But as drivers, if we change our behaviour just a little, and adopt the minimum 1.5 metre passing distance, it will help ensure that all road users can safely share the our road space.”